The YMCA has long been known for delivering programs in a variety of areas. Even with this deep history, there remains much to be learned. We have found our communities rising in poor health status. It’s a growing problem that exceeds the capacity of any one organization to make a scalable difference. Fortunately, the Louisville region has a strong collaborative spirit and is working together to address these issues. It’s a collaborative spirit that dates back many years.

In 2008, there was a newly merged government and a Metro Health and Wellness Department led by Dr. Adewale Troutman. Up to this point, the YMCA commonly worked with community organizations in ways you might typically envision when thinking about Y. A huge paradigm shift occurred for us when Dr. Troutman asked, “You know what I would do if I could do only one thing to improve the health of the community? I would improve the high school graduation rate.” Upon hearing Dr. Troutman’s answer, the Y and the community were taught that health was more than the absence of sickness. We learned that true health consists of one’s opportunity to access their greatest health potential.

When you think of the Y, you may think about afterschool childcare, but few think of the Y as having a role in education. Supporting our children through the education pipeline is now recognized as a key community impact area that must be owned by the entire community, including the Y. It has brought us to places beyond anything resembling the past. In 2016, over 900 elementary students were in summer learning programs that included literacy and STEM. Audiences that typically would regress during the summer have shown 1-3 months increase in literacy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these students are also more confident and excited about learning.

Now, there is even a Y and an elementary school in one building, built around a health continuum. And last summer, nearly 1000 low-income children received swim lessons. Swimming and education? Research shows that swimming skills correlate with academic achievement. Who would have thought?

Another area in which the Y is engaged collaboratively is in chronic disease prevention. Chronic disease prevention is critical for our future as it’s clear that current trajectories of diseases, such as diabetes, cannot be managed through the traditional health care delivery system. Research shows structured lifestyle intervention can cut the risks of developing Type II Diabetes in half. We are also working collaboratively with others to focus on the health of our children by offering evidence-based programs that address youth obesity with the hope of preventing the occurrence of adult diseases associated with excess weight.

Our YMCA model is changing to a model of community integrated health because health and issues of health equity belong to all of us. For the Y this includes components such as shared health spaces, community collaboration, capacity building, and outreach. It’s this level of cooperation that supports Greater Louisville’s designation as a Culture of Health community, and it’s a role we are honored to share with others.

Steve Tarver is the CEO, and Jan Brucato is the Healthy Actions Director YMCA of Greater Louisville.